05-23-2022 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 239 2022
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, May 23, 2022, at 4:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, 1St Floor,
City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Patrick Austin (Arrived 4:20 PM)
Commissioner Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Patty Mahany
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
City Attorney William L. Colbert
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM.
1. Discussion RE: Redistricting
Mayor Woodruff said the City has received a copy of the Court Order
from the 1992 Litigation. The City will follow the Charter and maintain a
majority/minority district. He said if the City approves six districts the redistricting would
not happen until 2024.
Commissioner Britton supports the majority/minority and six districts. She
is concerned about the growth of District 1.
Commissioner Wiggins said he supports the four districts. Six districts
would water things down and there would not be a majority/minority district.
Commissioner Mahany said she is in favor of four districts.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 23, 2022
WORK SESSION
Mayor Woodruff said he does not hear an agreement with the Commission
at this time and suggests the Commission wait to vote on this item until after the first of
next year.
Vice Mayor Austin suggested the Commission wait until after the election
this year. He feels it could muddy the water for this upcoming election.
The consensus of the Commission was to place this on the January Work
Session for discussion.
2. Discussion RE: Sanford Waterfront Partners
Roger Black of the Michaels Organization, and Richard Heisenbottle, of
Sanford Waterfront Partners (SWP) provided an update regarding the Heritage Park
Project. Mr. Black said it would be two years before breaking ground. Mr. Heisenbottle
said once the amendment is signed, it would take SWP one year for the plans and one
year to secure fiends. Mr. Black said funding would not occur until SWP provides a set of
approved plans from the City to the bank.
Although the Development Agreement was signed in 2017, the
Commission said that the City is now into the project for five years and a decision needs
to be made.
Charles Davis, Community Redevelopment Agency Committee Chairman,
said he has been working with SWP since 2014. He suggested the City ride the contract
out and get the land back. He said the CRA has committed $5.2 Million to the project,
some of which has already been spent on the streetscape.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 239 2022
WORK SESSION
Mr. Heisenbottle stated the City also delayed the project by not meeting
their deadlines in over 3.5 years and then there was the pandemic, which further delayed
the project.
This is an action item on tonight's agenda.
3. Budget Discussion by Cindy Lindsay, Finance Director
Ms. Lindsay presented a power point presentation of the proposed 2023
City Budget and asked the Commission to prioritize their options. The was a consensus to
budget for additional employees to the Police Department, the Fire Department, and to
Community Development.
Commissioner Britton asked if the Commissioners would be able to
receive Community funds. Tom Tomerlin, Economic Development Director, said his
department provides funding to organizations who request under $1 OK.
After a brief discussion, the consensus of the Commission was to use
$25,000 towards Community Partners.
Vice Mayor Austin asked for the breakdown of the thirteen new positions
which Ms. Lindsey provided.
Ronnie McNeil, Fire Chief, said the City received two bids for the
construction of the new Fire Station. The first one came in at $5.9M and the second one
came in at $SM. He reiterated that the City would also need to purchase apparatus and
would need a minimum of 12 additional employees. Currently it takes approximately two
years for the delivery of an apparatus.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 239 2022
WORK SESSION
Ms. Lindsay informed the Commission the Public Art Commission is
requesting a budget of $116K.
4. Discussion RE: Funding Community Partners Funding
This was discussed in Item 4.
5. Regular Meeting Items — additional information.
6. Briefing Items.
Mr. Bonaparte introduced Tony Raimondo, Development Services Director, to
provide an update on Code Enforcement. Mr. Raimondo said Code Enforcement
activities have been very active. In the past month 51 citations have been written, two
nuisance abatements, one foreclosure and one demolition.
7. City Manager Comments.
Commissioner Britton asked for an update on the Gateway Improvements.
Robert Beall, Parks and Grounds Operations Manager, said the City is working on a cost
for the pressure cleaning, painting and design.
Commissioner Britton and Mayor Woodruff expressed concern with the
exposed irrigation and dying plants downtown.
Chris Smith, Project Manager, said the City should be receiving a grant
from Seminole County for $48K to cover the Marina Public Rest Room Project.
Lisa Holder, Chief Communications & Cultural Affairs Administrator,
said the Public Art Commission held a virtual art in chambers to introduce the new artist.
She thanked the Facilities Maintenance Staff for their assistance in hanging the art.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 23, 2022
WORK SESSION
Mr. Bonaparte said there is an offer being put together for the property at
the Dr. Velma Williams Westside Community Center.
Commissioner Britton asked to have the Calendar of special events
available at every meeting before the Commission approves special events.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:07 PM.